Immigration: The Foremost Concern in Modern Voter’s Minds

Polls reveal the issue, a vulnerability for Joe Biden, surpasses economy and inflation in significance.

The primary concern for voters nowadays is immigration, making it the topmost issue

05.04.2024 : The economy has always been the primary concern for 65-year-old Garfield Cousins when voting. However, this year, Cousins, an independent voter from an Atlanta suburb, stated that the continuous surge of migrants at the southern border will influence his decision in a presidential election for the first time. Despite illegal border crossings setting records in recent years, polls indicate a significant rise in the number of voters, like Cousins, who prioritize immigration over the economy and inflation. Concerns include the impact of the migrant influx on various aspects of life, such as crime, fentanyl, national security, and government spending, as Washington struggles to find a solution. Cousins emphasized that the economy is crucial, but he also sees the impact of the migrant influx on taxpayers’ financial well-being when cities cut budgets to address housing, food, and healthcare costs related to migrants. According to a Wall Street Journal poll in late February, 20% of voters now consider immigration their top issue, up from 13% in December. The same poll revealed that 65% of voters disapprove of President Biden’s handling of border security, with 71% believing that immigration and border security are moving in the wrong direction. Another survey conducted in March among registered voters in seven swing states highlighted immigration as one of the top two concerns in each state, with over 72% of respondents in each state expressing dissatisfaction with the country’s immigration policy and border security. Denise Hodgkins, a 56-year-old Republican from Dalton, Ga., who works at her church’s food pantry, echoed similar sentiments.